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Okazaki is Leicester’s dilly ding, dilly dong – Ranieri

Date published: Thursday 27th October 2016 3:41

Shinji Okazaki is the player who gives Leicester a wake-up call and gets the rest of the team going, according to Foxes boss Claudio Ranieri.

Leicester’s return to winning ways in the Premier League last weekend, a first victory in four outings, coincided with the Japan international being restored to the side for his first start since September 10.

Okazaki has given Ranieri a welcome selection dilemma ahead of Saturday’s trip to Tottenham, with Vardy vying for a recall after being dropped to the bench against Palace – a performance which Ranieri described as Leicester’s best of the season so far.

The Italian admits he will have one eye on next week’s Champions League clash in Copenhagen when he selects his team at White Hart Lane.

“Against Crystal Palace we went back to our old philosophy, everybody closed, everybody with the same discipline and I recognised them again,” said Ranieri.

“It’s important we don’t go back and stay this way. But everything can affect you – it’s normal. They are humans, not machines.

“I can change something, I think about both games. Let me think. It’s my problem but a good problem for me. I have changed before – wait for Saturday and you will see.”

Victory in Copenhagen will guarantee Leicester’s passage through to the knockout stages of the Champions League in their maiden campaign in Europe’s premier club competition.

“It is a priority,” said Ranieri. “But every match is important, we want to win every game.”